Rapid-service life-boat system.



M. D. COMPTON.

RAPID SERVICE LIFE BOAT SYSTEM.

' APPLIOA-TION FILED APR. 27, 1912. 1,062,637.

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Patented May 27, 1913.

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MELVIN D. COMPTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RAPID-SERVICE LIFE-BOAT SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 27, 1913.

Application filed April 27, 1912. Serial No. 693,553.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MELVIN D. COMPTON, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rapid- Service Life-Boat Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide means whereby a large number of life boats can be easily loaded with passengers on a vessel in distress, and can be launched from the vessel in very rapid succession, and also the life-boats can be launched from a number of places on the vessel at the same time.

A further object is to provide means for storing or housing the life-boats on a vessel so that they can be very quickly brought to position for receiving the passengers and other persons on the vessel, and immediately started for the water.

Another object is to arrange the launching device with means whereby life-boats filled with passengers from another vessel can be very quickly drawn from the water on the vessel while loaded with passengers, and without disturbing the passengers on the boats.

In the accompanying drawings representing one embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a side view of a vessel with the system in use; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the launching means and housing for the boats arranged on both sides of the vessel; Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the life-boats; Fig. 4; is a plan of the rear portion of the life-boat; Fig. 5 is a side elevation enlarged, showing a portion of the track members and their supporting brackets; Fig. 6 shows part of one of the brackets in the open position, and Fig. 7 shows the same in closed position; Fig. 8 is a plan of a portion of the track member in open position, and Fig. 9 is the same closed against the vessel; Fig. 10 is a. section on the line 1010 of Fig. 11; Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a housing for the life-boats showing adjacent portions of the apparatus; Fig. 12 is an end elevation of the parts in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 shows the loading platform in upright position; Fig. 14 shows the dummy for drawing the life-boats up the tracks; and, Fig. 15 shows the latch for the tilting platform.

The vessel 13 is shown as having three decks 1, 2, and 3, and three track members 4, 5, and 6, extending from the said decks, respectively, down along the side of the vessel ata very gradual incline to about the Water-line. These track members are shown composed of a pair of tracks 7 and 8 that may be connected by cross-ties 9, and being identical the description of one track meniber will suflice for all. The inner track member 7 is shown provided with hinges 10 by which the track members are hinged to the side of the vessel, whereby they may be swung up to an upright position closed against the side of the vessel, as indicated in Fig. 7, and can be swung out to a position transverse to the vessel, as indicated in Fig. 6. The three track members are located one above the other and ofi'set about the height of a deck. Suitable bracket members are provided extending vertically throughout the length of the track members, and these brackets serve to support all of the track members where they are superposed. The intermediate brackets will hence support the three track members and are shown as comprising a vertical bar 11, provided with a number of hinges 12, whereby they swing on a vertical axis, and have transverse bars 13 connecting outer uprights 14, and may have diagonal braces 15, as shown in Fig. 6. Each of the cross members 13 in the open position, serve to support one of the track members l, as shown in Fig. 6, and when these brackets are swung around against the side of the vessel, as indicated in Fig. 7, by means of arms 16 on each bracket connected to a rod 17, the brackets will serve to elevate the track members to their upright position. This is done by means of cam blocks 18 on the track members 8, that engage the brackets 13 that will start the upward movement of the track member, and then rollers 19 on the side bars 1st bring the track member to its upright position. As the brackets are swung back to their open position, the track members will be swung out of the upright position.

On each of the decks in proximity to the upper end of the track member is arranged a housing 20 for the life-boats, in which a series of boats 21 may be arranged in vertical alinement, suitably suspended as by ropes 22, in the usual manner whereby as the bottom boat is run out of the house the next boat can be lowered and advanced to the track member. At the bottom of the housing is arranged a platform 22 hinged across the middle on a block 23, that is,

placed a little to one side of the middle toward a latch 2 1 that will hold the platform in this position when the boat is lowered thereon. But when this latch is tripped the other end of the platform will swing down to permit the boat to slide off the platform. The housing, as shown in Fig. 10, is located along the side 25 of the vessel, and between the housing and the end of the track member at 26 is arranged a swinging platform or table member 27, as shown in Fig. 10, provided with tracks 28 and 29 connecting with the track portion 30 and 31 on the platform 22. These tracks are shown as given a double curve to bring the boat out on the track member 26 overhanging the side of the vessel. The platform 27, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, is hinged at 32 along the side of the boat to swing from its horizontal position to an upright position, as indicated in Fig. 13, and may be locked in such positions by a spring catch 33. The tracks 28 and 29 on this table are also shown as tilting, and swing on blocks 84 a little beyond the middle, being held by a latch member 35 in the horizontal position, and when the latch is tripped the other end of this platform 59 will drop and permit the boat to slide ofi onto the track portion at 26.

Thelife boats 21 are shown provided with rollers or wheels 36 that engage the tracks 7 and 8 similar to a railway car, and also the other tracks on the two platforms, whereby the boats can be quickly advanced onto the track member at 26, and the incline of the track will cause the boat to slide down into the water. A brake is provided on each boatin the form of a shoe-lever 37 engaged by a screw 38 at the rear of the boat turned by a handle 39, by whichmeans the man controlling the tiller ropes l0 can operate the brake and control the speed of the life-boat down the incline as desired. The same man will swing the rudder 10 so that when the body strikes the water it will immediately turn outward from the boat, as indicated in Fig. 2, and the momentum of the boat will carry it away from the vessel so as not to interfere with the succeeding boat coming down the inclined track.

Fig. 1 shows the described arrangement of three track members on one side of the vessel from each of the decks that have the boat housings 20. On the opposite side of the vessel a similar arrangement is provided, as indicated in Fig. 2, but on this side the tracks start from the bow of the vessel instead of the stern, and incline downwardly to the stern. Hence if either end of the vessel should start to sink, the boats could be started from the other end of the vessel; or the boats could be launched from both sides at the same time.

In the use of the device, it is only neces sary to open one or both of the doors 42 and 13 of the housing 20, knock out the block and start the lower boat to run out on the tilting platform or table 27, previously swung to the horizontal position. At this place the boat is filled with the passengers and its crew, the operator having the brake device in hand and also the tiller. Then the block or catch 35 is shifted and this table tilts to cause this boat, now in position ready for launching, to slide along the table onto the track member, that has been previously swung to the open position by shifting the operating member 17. The boat will now glide down the track member, as indicated in Fig. 1, being controlled by the brake member 37 that engages a rail 14: on the track member, and the rudder is swung so that when the boat strikes the water it will at once turn outward from the vessel. But as soon as one boat is started down the incline,,the next boat in the housing will be lowered and swung out onto the table 27, there loaded with passengers, and started down the inclined track. Thereby the boats can be launched in very rapid succession and with very little labor. This applies to each of the track members, and all of them can be used at the same'time, whereby the entire number of persons on the boat can be very quickly launched by the lifeboats. It will further be seen that the life boats are compactly stored away in the several housings that serve to protect them from the elements. If desired, a second platform or table as 27, can be provided at the opposite end of each of the housings 20, and connected with a second track member starting from the same deck; by which means the first boat will be run out at one end of the housing, and the next boat atthe opposite end to slide down the second track member from this deck, and so on alternately from each end of the housing, as'will be readily understood.

Means are also provided for returning the boats to a vessel, that is, the same vessel can receive the boats and passengers from a steamer that has been disabled, the boats being brought to the lower ends of the track members, and there connected with a dummy car 50 having suitable wheels 51 to engage the tracks, the dummies being connected by a cable 52 that passes up the incline to be drawn up by a suitable device on the vessel,

such as a Windlass operated by power. By

sengers from the boats to a vessel, and also serves to bring a large number of boats up onto the decks of a vessel in a very short time.

Having described my invent-ion I claim:

1. The combination with a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel.

2. The combination with a vessel, of a lifeboat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, and a life-boat adapted to slide down the track member.

3. The combination with a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, and a life-boat adapted to slide down the track member and provided with a brake member arranged to be operated to engage the track member and control the passage of the boat along the track member.

4. The combination with a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the deck down along the side'of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, and a life-boat adapted to engage the track memher.

5. The combination with a vessel, of a lifeboat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending trans versely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, and a lifeboat adapted to engage the track member, and also provided with a brake member to engage the track member and'control the movement of the boat.

6. The combination with a vessel, of a life boat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, and means for swinging the track member to said two positions.

7. The combination wit-h a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the' deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, brackets hinged to the side of the vessel to swing on a vertical axis from a position folded against the vessel to a position extending transversely out from the vessel and adapted to support the track member in the said transverse position.

8. The combination with a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, brackets hinged to the side of the vessel to swing on a vertical axis from a position folded against the vessel and adapted to support the track member in the said transverse position, means for swinging the brackets to said two positions, and means on the track and brackets for causing the swinging of the brackets to shift the track member to its two positions respectively.

9. The combination with a vessel, of a series of life-boat track-members extending down from the deck one above the other along the side of the vessel to the water line, the members being supported to each swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel and substantially parallel with each other, to a position lying against the side of'the vessel substantially in vertical alinement.

10. The combination with a vessel of a series of life-boat track members extending down from the deck one above the other along the side of the vessel to the water line, the members being supported to each swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel and substantially parallel with each other to a position lying against the side of the vessel substantially in vertical alinement, and means for simultaneously swinging the track members to said two positions.

11. The combination with a vessel of a series of life-boat track members extending down from the deck one above the other along the side of the vessel to the water line, the members being supported to each swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel and substantially parallel with each other, to a position lying against the side of the vessel substantially in vertical alinement, a set of brackets hinged to the side of the vessel to swing on a vertical axis from a position folded back against the vessel to a position projecting transversely out from the vessel, each of the brackets being connected with said series of track members whereby the swinging of the brackets to said two positions will swing the track members to said two posit-ions respectively. V

12. The combination with a vessel of a series of life-boat track members extending down from the deck one above the other along the side of the vessel to the water line, the members being supported to each swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel and substantially parallel with each other, to a position lying against the side of the vessel substantially in vertical alinement, a set of brackets hinged to the side of the vessel to swing on a vertical axis from a position folded back against the vessel to a position projecting transversely out from the vessel, each of the brackets being connected with said series of track members whereby the swinging of the brackets to said two positions will swing the track members to said two positions respectively, and means for simultaneously swinging all of said brackets.

13. The combination with a vessel of a series of life-boat track members extending down from the decks respectively one above the other along the side of the vessel to the water line, the members being supported to each swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel and substantially parallel with each other, to a position lying against the side of the vessel substantially in vertical alinement.

14. The combination with a vessel having a series of decks, of a series of life-boat track members extending down from the decks respectively one above the other along the side of the vessel to the water line, the members being supported to each swing fro-m a position extending transversely out from the vessel and substantially parallel with each other, to a position lying against the side of the vessel substantially in vertical alinement, a set of brackets hinged to the side of the vessel to swing 011 a vertical axis from a position folded back against the vessel to a position project-ing transversely out from the vessel, each of the brackets being connected with said series of track members whereby the swinging of the brackets to said two positions, will swing the track members to either of said two positions respectively.

15. The combination with a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, a lifeboat adapted to engage the track member, and a platform adapted to support the lifeboat and resting on a transverse axis to tilt and cause the boat to slide off onto the track member.

16. The combination with a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of. the vessel, a set of life-boats adapted to engage the track member, a housing on the vessel, means supporting the boats in vertical series in the housing and arranged to lower theme to the bottom of the housing.

17. The combination with a vessel of a series of life-boat track members extending down from the deck one above the other along one side of the vessel to the water line, the members being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel and substantially parallel with each other, to a position lying'against the side of the vessel substantially in vertical alinement, and a series of track members extending down from the deck one above the other along the opposite side of the vessel to the water line, and extending in the opposite direction longitudinally of the vessel to the track member on the other side, the latter members being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel and substantially parallel with each other, to a position lying against the side of the vessel substantially in vertical alinement.

18. The combination with a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the deck down along one side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position ext-ending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, and a track member extending from the deck down along the opposite side of the vessel to the water line longitudinally of the vessel extending in the opposite direction to the track member on the other side, the latter track member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel.

19. The combination with a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, and a set of life boats adapted to engage the track member, a housing on the decks, a tilting platform in the bottom of the housing, the life-boats being supported in the housing in vertical series to be lowered in succession on the platform, a swinging track plate normally in vertical position at the side of the vessel next to the housing arranged to swing on a middle axis to a horizontal position to bring one end of a track thereon at one end of the housing and receive the boats, the other end of the track in such position being at the end of the said track member when swinging to the transverse position to guide the boats from the housing to the track member.

20. The combination with a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, and a set of life boats adapted to engage the track member, a housing on the decks, a tilting platform in the bottom of the housing, the life-boats being supported in the housing in vertical series to be lowered in succession on the platform, a swinging track plate normally in vertical position at theside of the vessel next to the housing arranged to swing on a middle axis to a horizontal position to bring one end of a track thereon at one end of the housing and receive the boats, the other end of the track in such position being at the end of the said track member when swinging to the transverse position to guide the boats from the housing to the track member the said swinging table having the track carried by a tilting platform thereon hinged transversely at its middle portion.

21. The combination with a vessel, of lifeboat track members extending down along the side of the vessel to the waterline, the

members being supported to swing from a position extending transversely to the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, a housing on the deck, a series of lite-boats supported in the housing in vertical series to be lowered to the bottom of the housing, a pair of swinging track plates one arranged at each end of the housing and hinged to the side of the vessel to normally lie in a horizontal position and to swing to a horizontal position in which the track thereon will receive the lite-boats from the end of the housing, the tracks on the table registering with the said track members respectively to guide the boats from the housing out onto the track members in their transverse position.

2 The combination with a vessel, of a life-boat track member extending from the deck down along the side of the vessel to the water line, the member being supported to swing from a position extending transversely out from the vessel to a position lying against the side of the vessel, a lifeboat adapted to slide on the track member, and means on the vessel for drawing the life-boat up the track member.

Signed at Nos. 9-15 Murray street, New York, N. Y. this twenty-sixth day of April, 1912.

MELVIN D. COMPTON.

Witnesses WILLIAM H. Rim), JOHN MORRIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

